John Culshaw and the recording as a work of art

David Patmore, University of Sheffield

Presentation outline

Culshaw: life Culshaw: ideas Examples of these in action Suggested explanations for

decline Sources: Culshaw’s articles for

record press, interviews

The central issue

‘John had the concept of the recording being an art form in itself – and that’s what he believed in.’ – Gordon Parry in interview, 8th April, 1999.

Life (1) Born: 1925, Southport, UK Bank clerk before joining Fleet Air Arm After war, writes freelance music articles 1946 Joins Decca’s publicity department 1947 Begins work as a producer with

Decca 1951 Becomes permanent with Decca 1953-55 Heads Capitol’s European

classical operation

Life (2) 1955 Returns to Decca as producer 1956 Replaces Victor Olof as head of

classical production at Decca 1957-58 Introduction of stereo LPs 1957-67 Produces major recordings for

Decca and RCA 1967 Leaves Decca to become head of

music at BBC TV 1975 Leaves BBC TV, and pursues

freelance career 1980 Dies of hepatitis

Ideas and influences (1) - general Foundation: working internationally for

large corporation, dedicated to recording Access to capital plus freedom of action Primary function of producer: to draw out

best from performer Saw value of recordings as long-term

documents, in the service of the composer Team player not an autocrat But not shy in pushing forward his ideas

Ideas and influences (2) - the keys ‘John had not only the musical side…but he

also had this deep sense of what the market wanted, where it should be going. Stereo: as soon as John heard of stereo, he was there. He saw the potential.’ – Jack Boyce (Decca marketing) in interview, 8th April, 1999.

‘A fine production in any medium is the sum of its small details, which have to be mastered and absorbed before it an transcend then and approach the realms of art.’ – John Culshaw, Records and Recording, February 1962.

Ideas and influences (3) Key influence: Gordon Parry Parry saw Das Rheingold as an ideal

work for stereo production Convinced Culshaw of this Timing excellent: strong interest in

stereo in USA Rheingold recording a major

commercial success Opened the way to further similar

productions

James Mallinson’s view Re: the recorded performance as

a legitimate art work in its own right:

‘…that is what it is. It is what it should be. You should never look at a record as being a sort of poor relation of a live performance’. – in interview, 2nd June, 1999.

The key recordings 1959 Das

Rheingold 1961 Tristan und

Isolde 1962 Salome 1963 Siegfried,

War Requiem 1965

Gotterdammerung 1967 Elektra

Key characteristics of successful (opera) recordings Constructed : too many errors in live

recordings The recording is artificial and unique: key

features: Satisfactory balance: relationship with

conductor key (Solti) (Rheingold) Uniqueness: getting inside the score gives

specific vision (Tristan designs) Movement: acting and so intensity of

expression (Tristan) Atmosphere: drama (Salome) Authenticity: fidelity to composer’s

intentions (War Requiem)

Recordings and Film Parallels with film:

- created in the studio- cost- cutting- continuity- the record producer = the film director

Example: Gotterdammerung film

The recording as art work

Culshaw strove to create recordings that were parallel to successful theatrical and film productions

Individual concept, mastery of technology, attention to detail, outstanding performances =

A work of art

Decline and Fall Immediate: no-one followed Culshaw’s ideas SonicStage ‘childish’ (1980) Possibly seen as classical parallel to Phase 4

(critical opinion dismissive – but vast sales) Long-term: miniaturisation and improved

recording eliminated need for studio Made live recording technically as good as

studio, as well as cheaper Overall discourse: the objective of

recordings: to emulate the concert hall: in conflict with these ideas

The recording now seen as no more than a process

The verdict of history? ‘It is …open to question whether any

studio recording of The Ring could reasonably be expected to be more atmospheric, exciting or better performed than this one.’ – Arnold Whitall, Gramophone, March 1989.